Please Help an Indecisive Old-timer: Do I reset my MRB?

[Demelza]

Hi all,

Well, I have finally made a decision once and for all: I am KEEPING my 2.37 H&A. After two attempts to sell, I realized that I can't part with it. Loving old cuts doesn't preclude me from loving modern rounds as well. Since taking this stone out of the bank a few days ago, I have been blown away by the optics!

So...I'm wondering if it's time for a reset. My stone has been in just a few settings in the past (I'm being facetious here), but the last time I reset was 2008. I still love the current setting from 23rd Street, but I already have a solitaire with an OEC almost the exact same size as my MRB. I have always loved the look of a round with pear side stones like Kristydarling's Leon and wondered if that would be the way to go so that I have two very different rings even if the center stones are similar sized rounds.

I have contacted the usual suspects: LM, VC, and SK. To be honest, I love the look of Leon's 3 stones over the others and his quote came in significantly lower than either SK or VC. I have some obvious concerns about using LM, but hope the end result would be worth the risk. Or am I tempting fate by resetting from a perfectly beautiful mounting I still absolutely love? I realize this all comes down to taste and opinion, but I would appreciate any thoughts!

Here are some pics of previous settings, the current setting, and what I'm wanting. Thanks!

 

[Demelza]

Here is my OEC and MRB together. They're different cuts, yes, but the overall effect is rather similar, no?

And also pics of what I'm wanting. These are AyalaJessica's gorgeous LM with a 1.85 ct center! LOVE IT!

 

[Laila619]

Reset reset reset! I am not a solitaire girl, so I would totally reset into a 3 stone.

 

[braga123]

reset so that you can wear them both all the time!

 

[junebug17]

Oh, I would absolutely do a reset! A round with side pears is just gorgeous, one of my favorite looks - and you already have a solitaire, so IMO it's a no-brainer!

 

[Demelza]

Thanks Laila, Braga, and Junebug! Three for reset!

Just for fun, a side view of KD's killer 3 stone!!!! Sigh!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I think a three stone with pears would be gorgeous - particularly because you have the OEC in a solitaire mounting. Gives you two totally different looks.

I must say though that out of all the renditions, I loved the Superbcert solitaire the best. The six prongs around your stone so emphasized the symmetry of the stone!

It is amazing when placed side by side the similarities you see in both cuts. I still see those little chunks in my MRB from time to time in the right lighting but then of course there are the arrows in other lighting that still make me swoon! You've done good work in selecting both of these stones!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love your rb, Dem! In some ways I wish I could have both, too! They are just different but both beautiful.

I need to talk to you a bit before you decide about this, though. Do you still have a LT or DB listing up?

 

[Demelza]

I love your rb, Dem! In some ways I wish I could have both, too! They are just different but both beautiful.

I need to talk to you a bit before you decide about this, though. Do you still have a LT or DB listing up?

I do, DS. Please feel free to contact me! Thanks!!

 

[Rosebloom]

Reset reset reset!!!!!

It's gorgeous of course but quite similar to your perfect OEC. And the Leon three stone with pears is just breath taking. I agree that there's something about his proportions and the pinched shank that I prefer to VC or SK.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love your rb, Dem! In some ways I wish I could have both, too! They are just different but both beautiful.

I need to talk to you a bit before you decide about this, though. Do you still have a LT or DB listing up?

I do, DS. Please feel free to contact me! Thanks!!

I just did through DB, so let me know if you don't get it. It is important.


I adore a round with pear sides, but I would only consider Victor and Steven for that project.

 

[Demelza]

I love your rb, Dem! In some ways I wish I could have both, too! They are just different but both beautiful.

I need to talk to you a bit before you decide about this, though. Do you still have a LT or DB listing up?

I do, DS. Please feel free to contact me! Thanks!!

I just did through DB, so let me know if you don't get it. It is important.


I adore a round with pear sides, but I would only consider Victor and Steven for that project.

Just wrote you back!

 

[Demelza]

Reset reset reset!!!!!

It's gorgeous of course but quite similar to your perfect OEC. And the Leon three stone with pears is just breath taking. I agree that there's something about his proportions and the pinched shank that I prefer to VC or SK.

Thanks Rosebloom! I'm feeling more and more sure about the reset. Glad others can see the logic behind my drive to reset!

 

[Demelza]

I think a three stone with pears would be gorgeous - particularly because you have the OEC in a solitaire mounting. Gives you two totally different looks.

I must say though that out of all the renditions, I loved the Superbcert solitaire the best. The six prongs around your stone so emphasized the symmetry of the stone!

It is amazing when placed side by side the similarities you see in both cuts. I still see those little chunks in my MRB from time to time in the right lighting but then of course there are the arrows in other lighting that still make me swoon! You've done good work in selecting both of these stones!

I agree, MGR -- I think that SC Tiffany replica was the best! I am a sucker for 6 prongs.

I hope my 3-stone turns out as beautifully as your ring! Yours has always been one of my favorites!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I think a three stone with pears would be gorgeous - particularly because you have the OEC in a solitaire mounting. Gives you two totally different looks.

I must say though that out of all the renditions, I loved the Superbcert solitaire the best. The six prongs around your stone so emphasized the symmetry of the stone!

It is amazing when placed side by side the similarities you see in both cuts. I still see those little chunks in my MRB from time to time in the right lighting but then of course there are the arrows in other lighting that still make me swoon! You've done good work in selecting both of these stones!

I agree, MGR -- I think that SC Tiffany replica was the best! I am a sucker for 6 prongs.

I hope my 3-stone turns out as beautifully as your ring! Yours has always been one of my favorites!

Thanks Dem - I'm sure yours will be beautiful - with that stone you can't go wrong! Just wanted to add that in addition to the six prongs of the Superbcert ring, I think the knife edge of the ering and wedding band add something special to the look as well. It is such a classic look but still has that something special to me - even more so than the rounded shanks.

 

[Acinom]

Beautiful stone Demelza!! I would definetely reset to create 2 different looks!!

I've added Tweeters besutiful ring by SK. I would choose him or VC.

 

[Catmom]

I love the three stone with pears idea. I would absolutely go with that if it were me. Two different looks seems the way to go.

 

[Natylad]

Oh my God, i totally loooove the three stone ring with the pears I vote for reset

 

[m-2-b]

Agree w/ the others that a 3 stone would be the perfect addition to your collection, especially for a RHR! I do love the 1st 6 prong setting you had for this stone as a solitaire though!

 

[Demelza]

Beautiful stone Demelza!! I would definetely reset to create 2 different looks!!

I've added Tweeters besutiful ring by SK. I would choose him or VC.

Thank you so much for the pic from Tweeters! I hadn't seen that and it's very helpful to have another rendition.
Do you mind if I ask why you would choose VC or SK over LM?

Catmom, M2B, Nataliesamaras -- Thanks for your thoughts. Sounds like it's unanimous so far!

 

[ame]

Since you have a solitaire, I'd get a 3stone with pears, and I am SO GLAD you're keeping this stone!

 

[tweeter8177]

Hi Demelza! I also vote for a reset! Since I am in a similar situation of having a 2.3ct MRB that I want to reset into a RHR, I can tell you that in hindsight, I wish I would have done the pear side stones for my RHR versus my ER (here is a link to my ER upgrade with pear sidestones). https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ch-3-stone-ring-with-pear-side-stones.189157/ While I love my ER, it is sooooo hard to find a setting for a RHR that doesn’t scream engagement ring and I think 3 stone rings make an ideal RHR.

As far as your question on who to go with for a designer, I went with SK. I didn’t even contact VC because it doesn’t seem like VC specializes in this style. The last I checked, he doesn’t show any on his site and I don't think I have ever seen one on PS (not that he couldn't or hasn't done it). In my opinion, SK and LM definitely have a ton of experience in this ring style. I did contact LM as well and frankly his prices were substantially less than SK, which surprised me. However, that was just for the setting, not the pears, so maybe it would have been closer. I went with SK mostly because he went out of his way to meet with me on a weekend I was in NY and he has a good relationship with ERD (where I got my center stone) and that just made it easier. I can safely say I wouldn’t trust anyone other than SK and LM to make this ring. They just know how to make the pear V-tips flow seamlessly into the shank, which I think would be impossible in a CAD and they know the right proportions.

Can’t wait to see what you end up doing!!!

 

[Laila619]

Hi Demelza! I also vote for a reset! Since I am in a similar situation of having a 2.3ct MRB that I want to reset into a RHR, I can tell you that in hindsight, I wish I would have done the pear side stones for my RHR versus my ER (here is a link to my ER upgrade with pear sidestones). https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ch-3-stone-ring-with-pear-side-stones.189157/ While I love my ER, it is sooooo hard to find a setting for a RHR that doesn’t scream engagement ring and I think 3 stone rings make an ideal RHR.

As far as your question on who to go with for a designer, I went with SK. I didn’t even contact VC because it doesn’t seem like VC specializes in this style. The last I checked, he doesn’t show any on his site and I don't think I have ever seen one on PS (not that he couldn't or hasn't done it). In my opinion, SK and LM definitely have a ton of experience in this ring style. I did contact LM as well and frankly his prices were substantially less than SK, which surprised me. However, that was just for the setting, not the pears, so maybe it would have been closer. I went with SK mostly because he went out of his way to meet with me on a weekend I was in NY and he has a good relationship with ERD (where I got my center stone) and that just made it easier. I can safely say I wouldn’t trust anyone other than SK and LM to make this ring. They just know how to make the pear V-tips flow seamlessly into the shank, which I think would be impossible in a CAD and they know the right proportions.

Can’t wait to see what you end up doing!!!

All good points. I haven't ever seen a 3 stone with pears from Victor. I too would go with LM or SK.

 

[armywife13]

Even as an avid old cut lover, I am head over heals for your MRB! It is absolutely stunning, I am so glad you decided to keep its!!!

I adore the three stone setting with pear side stones, I say go for it!!!!!

 

[SB621]

yay for keeping your diamond!!

I too decided (after months of flipping back and forth) to keep my orginal MRB after buying Venice. My MRB is smaller then yours at 2.04ct. I got quotes from VC, ERD and JbEG about resetting it into a micropave RG band with a WG/PLAT head. I didn't do VC because he seems he doesn't like to really use RG metal with pave. Anyhow after doing many custom projects with most PS vendors I can say you should stick with a vendor who can and already HAS done the ring you want. While I'm not a fan of Leon's due to his personality I think he has the best eye for proportions when it comes to 3 or 5 stones. However, I think my preference now is if SK is within my budget I pretty much will stay with him unless I'm going for something he doesn't specialise in.

 

[Demelza]

Ame -- Thanks! I'm glad I'm keeping it too.

Tweeter -- Thank you for the helpful info! Your ring is gorgeous!! It's so hard to budget when the side stones aren't included. Leon gave me a wide range and said he couldn't say more specifically until he sees my stone. Do you happen to recall roughly how much your pears were? Forgive me for asking if you'd rather not say. Based on the PS diamond search, I can't imagine they would be more than $500 each, but I suppose the designer can charge for me whatever he likes.

Laila -- Yes, I'm afraid I can't use VC never having seen an example of this ring in his portfolio. Too bad because he's so nice.

Armywife -- I'm an avid old cut lover too and yet I love this MRB! I had forgotten how much until I took it out of the bank last week. I'm glad another old cut lover can see what draws me to it!

SB -- I appreciate your viewpoint. I once chose another designer over Leon because I liked her personality better even though I had never seen examples of this type of work in her portfolio. I have regretted that decision for years and have since sold the ring. It can be a very tough decision, but in this case I want the ring exactly as Leon does it, so probably best to get it from Leon. Fingers crossed!

 

[AprilBaby]

I totally would do the pear reset for a RHR!!!!

 

[tweeter8177]

Demelza -

LM’s response to me was the same as yours…he wouldn’t give an estimate on the pears. SK did give me a ballpark on the entire project and it actually did come in $500 less than that.

Unfortunately, the pears might be more than you think! They were much more than a PS diamond search (especially for uncerted stones). SK priced them at ~$2700-$2900/carat for G/H VS range pears. So, it will definitely depend on the size. Mine were .85 ct and about $2300. I had read Kristydarling’s thread on her 3-stone and it prepared me on the cost of the sidestones! I think you are right, the designer can price them as they want (and build in profit margin).

I will be curious what pear size will be recommended for your stone…finalizing the pears was the most stressful part of the process for me!!

 

[Demelza]

Demelza -

LM’s response to me was the same as yours…he wouldn’t give an estimate on the pears. SK did give me a ballpark on the entire project and it actually did come in $500 less than that.

Unfortunately, the pears might be more than you think! They were much more than a PS diamond search (especially for uncerted stones). SK priced them at ~$2700-$2900/carat for G/H VS range pears. So, it will definitely depend on the size. Mine were .85 ct and about $2300. I had read Kristydarling’s thread on her 3-stone and it prepared me on the cost of the sidestones! I think you are right, the designer can price them as they want (and build in profit margin).

I will be curious what pear size will be recommended for your stone…finalizing the pears was the most stressful part of the process for me!!

Yikes, that's a little unnerving. I had no idea they would be that expensive. Your center stone is almost a full carat bigger than mine, though, so I'm hopeful mine would come in quite a bit less? It's a little odd to me that one is expected to ship an expensive stone across the country without any real idea how much a project is going to cost! There will be a point at which it's undoable for me, but I have to ship my stone in order to find that out? Seems a little strange to me.

 

[tweeter8177]

I agree. That was one reason I decided to go with SK because I had a good idea of what I was getting myself into for $$.

I would imagine your sidestones would be smaller than mine (thus less expensive), but tough to tell. At least you have an idea on the "max" you would spend (at least with SK), although I am not sure what color your center stone is? If you need higher than G/H, it would be more.

Did you get a quote from SK? It might be worth it to give you a general sense of the total $$'s.